Fat Duck Food Poisoning
It seems that the much publicised food poisoning outbreak that caused illness to more than 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant, in Berkshire, was probably caused by raw shellfish contaminated with human sewage.
Inspectors from the Health Protection Agency have released a report that highlights the probable cause, and criticises the food safety standards in the kitchens.
Sick staff continued to work and handle the shellfish. Unsuitable products were also said to have been used to clean kitchen surfaces.
The HPA stated:
"Oysters were served raw; razor clams may not have been appropriately handled or cooked; tracing of shellfish to source showed evidence of contamination and there have been reports of illness in other establishments associated with oysters from the same source."
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Momma Cherri's (Brighton) Closes
Momma Cherri's Closes
I am sorry to see that Momma Cherri's, once "saved" by Gordon Ramsay, has closed.
Eva and I first visited Momma Cherri's in 2003, before Ramsay.
It seems that it over expanded and moved into larger, less cosy, premises where it simply did not get the covers necessary during the week to cover operating costs.
I am sorry to see that Momma Cherri's, once "saved" by Gordon Ramsay, has closed.
Eva and I first visited Momma Cherri's in 2003, before Ramsay.
It seems that it over expanded and moved into larger, less cosy, premises where it simply did not get the covers necessary during the week to cover operating costs.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Perfect 10
The Perfect 10
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire has topped the 2010 Good Food Guide, despite a health scare earlier this year.
The restaurant was shut for more than two weeks from 24 February after 400 diners complained of having fallen ill from norovirus was to blame.
The Fat Duck scored a perfect 10 for the second year, beating Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Chelsea.
Now the only way it can go is down!
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire has topped the 2010 Good Food Guide, despite a health scare earlier this year.
The restaurant was shut for more than two weeks from 24 February after 400 diners complained of having fallen ill from norovirus was to blame.
The Fat Duck scored a perfect 10 for the second year, beating Gordon Ramsay's restaurant Chelsea.
Now the only way it can go is down!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Customer, Not The Chef, Is King
The beleaguered celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, has relearned an old maxim that the customer (not the celebrity chef) is king.
He was at one stage advised to file for bankruptcy, as profits fell from £3M to less than £400K.
He told Fox News:
"Heading out of global economic downturn has been tough but for me it has also been a breath of fresh air.
The industry was getting far too arrogant, they weren't respecting customers enough and they forgot the customers were king.
Customers just disappeared. Those that were in the restaurants weren't drinking wine. All were on tap water.
Then we had a huge downturn, Monday to Thursday. Your staff costs are the same, your running costs are the same. It was a nightmare."
He was at one stage advised to file for bankruptcy, as profits fell from £3M to less than £400K.
He told Fox News:
"Heading out of global economic downturn has been tough but for me it has also been a breath of fresh air.
The industry was getting far too arrogant, they weren't respecting customers enough and they forgot the customers were king.
Customers just disappeared. Those that were in the restaurants weren't drinking wine. All were on tap water.
Then we had a huge downturn, Monday to Thursday. Your staff costs are the same, your running costs are the same. It was a nightmare."
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Terraces (Brighton) Revisited
The Terraces (Brighton) Revisited
Eva and I revisited The Terraces on Saturday evening, and had a splendid meal.
My chorizo and poached egg starter was sublime, and my rack of lamb tender, succulent and unctuous.
Eva's fish, chips and mushy peas were cooked to perfection.
The service was first class, and very friendly. We were offered blankets when the wind became chilly, and were found a table inside when the elements finally defeated us without any fuss.
There was even a free firework display by the pier (not laid on by the restaurant) that topped the evening off.
I wish the new manager (who started a couple of weeks ago) all the very best.
Well worth visiting!
Eva and I revisited The Terraces on Saturday evening, and had a splendid meal.
My chorizo and poached egg starter was sublime, and my rack of lamb tender, succulent and unctuous.
Eva's fish, chips and mushy peas were cooked to perfection.
The service was first class, and very friendly. We were offered blankets when the wind became chilly, and were found a table inside when the elements finally defeated us without any fuss.
There was even a free firework display by the pier (not laid on by the restaurant) that topped the evening off.
I wish the new manager (who started a couple of weeks ago) all the very best.
Well worth visiting!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Nasza Revisted
Eva and I revisited Nasza (Brighton's Polish restaurant) again last week, to see how they were getting along following up on my recommendations.
I am pleased to say that the issues identified in my earlier review have been addressed:
1 The service was far better.
2 There is now a vodka list.
3 There is now a modest wine list, of wine that is drinkable.
4 Credit cards are now accepted.
Nasza is now worth visiting.
I am pleased to say that the issues identified in my earlier review have been addressed:
1 The service was far better.
2 There is now a vodka list.
3 There is now a modest wine list, of wine that is drinkable.
4 Credit cards are now accepted.
Nasza is now worth visiting.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Haggis
Haggis
I see the media reports that Haggis may in fact be an English dish, having been mentioned in an English cookbook (The Hus Wife) in the 17th century, some 200 years before Burns wrote a poem to it.
I remain sceptical, and doubt that the Scots will be convinced either.
I see the media reports that Haggis may in fact be an English dish, having been mentioned in an English cookbook (The Hus Wife) in the 17th century, some 200 years before Burns wrote a poem to it.
I remain sceptical, and doubt that the Scots will be convinced either.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Organic Food No Better For You
Organic Food No Better For You
Despite sky high prices, and the perception by the gullible that it is better for you, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stated that organic food is no more healthy and provides no significant nutritional benefit compared with conventionally produced food.
Needless to say, those organisations that make a nice living out of selling overpriced organic food dispute the findings.
Despite sky high prices, and the perception by the gullible that it is better for you, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has stated that organic food is no more healthy and provides no significant nutritional benefit compared with conventionally produced food.
Needless to say, those organisations that make a nice living out of selling overpriced organic food dispute the findings.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Croydon Park Hotel
Croydon Park Hotel
Full marks to the Croydon Park Hotel for mixing the best Mojito I have had in long time, and for a most excellent lunch of roast pork carved on the trolley.
Keep it up!
Though, given that it is still July, I do consider that the animated 1 foot high Santa Claus in the entrance lobby to be a tad early!
Full marks to the Croydon Park Hotel for mixing the best Mojito I have had in long time, and for a most excellent lunch of roast pork carved on the trolley.
Keep it up!
Though, given that it is still July, I do consider that the animated 1 foot high Santa Claus in the entrance lobby to be a tad early!
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Hanover Pub (Brighton)
The Hanover Pub (Brighton)
Eva and I tried out the Hanover pub yesterday for Sunday lunch. Sadly it was rather disappointing.
The starters (leek and potato soup and chili on nachos) were very good.
However, the roast beef took 1.5 hours to arrive from the time when we placed our order at 1PM.
Additionally, the beef was somewhat tasteless and overcooked, neither was it particularly tender.
It is unlikely we will return, as there are many other pubs in the Hanover area that serve Sunday lunch.
Eva and I tried out the Hanover pub yesterday for Sunday lunch. Sadly it was rather disappointing.
The starters (leek and potato soup and chili on nachos) were very good.
However, the roast beef took 1.5 hours to arrive from the time when we placed our order at 1PM.
Additionally, the beef was somewhat tasteless and overcooked, neither was it particularly tender.
It is unlikely we will return, as there are many other pubs in the Hanover area that serve Sunday lunch.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Sofia's Italian Restaurant (Brighton)
Sofia's Italian Restaurant (Brighton)
Sofia's Italian Restaurant, 24 Ship Street, Brighton, rather let themselves down last night.
They had run out of brandy, aside from this failure in restocking depriving me of my post meal quaffing it also buggered up my main course.
They failed to point out that my steak (allegedly cooked in a brandy and cream sauce) would be bereft of one of the key ingredients (ie the brandy).
Unsurprisingly the sauce was bland, the reason becoming clear only after I passed comment on it.
Why didn't someone just go out and buy another bottle?
Sofia's Italian Restaurant, 24 Ship Street, Brighton, rather let themselves down last night.
They had run out of brandy, aside from this failure in restocking depriving me of my post meal quaffing it also buggered up my main course.
They failed to point out that my steak (allegedly cooked in a brandy and cream sauce) would be bereft of one of the key ingredients (ie the brandy).
Unsurprisingly the sauce was bland, the reason becoming clear only after I passed comment on it.
Why didn't someone just go out and buy another bottle?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Pre Boiled Eggs
Pre Boiled Eggs
The Times reports that a pre hard boiled egg will soon be available in Asda and Waitrose.
Each egg will cost a staggering 45p!
What a complete rip off, in the same category as bottled water!
Only a fool would waste 45p on a pre boiled egg.
The Times reports that a pre hard boiled egg will soon be available in Asda and Waitrose.
Each egg will cost a staggering 45p!
What a complete rip off, in the same category as bottled water!
Only a fool would waste 45p on a pre boiled egg.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
The Terraces
Restaurant
The Terraces Bar and Grill
Madeira Drive
Brighton
BN2 1PS
Phone: 01273 545 250
Website www.the-terraces.co.uk
Overview
Eva and I decided to treat ourselves to an alfresco lunch on the seafront last week, and chose The Terraces.
The Terraces is an art deco bar and grill that serves Mediterranean and British food.
Ambience
The Terraces is a glass fronted two storey art deco rotund bar and grill, facing the seafront.
The decoration is modern, minimalist and cheerful, with an open fire inside for the winter, and decking outside for dining and drinking alfresco in the summer months.
We dined outside facing the sea, superb weather and superb views!
Menu
The Terraces offers a selection of Mediterranean and British dishes; eg bruschetta, fishcakes, Chorizo on sweet potato, Mezze, steak, pasta and fish and chips. On Sundays they also offer traditional roasts.
Service
The service was very friendly, cheerful and efficient. Nothing was too much trouble, and the jug of Pimms prepared by the staff was by far the best (wrt generosity of fresh fruit etc) that I have had when dining out.
Food
I opted for the rib eye steak, eschewing the pepper sauce for two fried eggs instead.
The steak was a decent piece of meat (cooked medium rare), and was tender and succulent. Ideally complemented by my two eggs and fries.
Eva opted for the rope grown mussels in white wine sauce. These were superb, and were served in an amusing large earthenware pot that resembled a flower pot.
A great lunch!
The bill (including a jug of Pimms, a pint and two Irish coffees) came to around £60.
Overall Opinion
We really enjoyed the lunch and liked The Terraces very much. I guarantee that we will return.
The Terraces Bar and Grill
Madeira Drive
Brighton
BN2 1PS
Phone: 01273 545 250
Website www.the-terraces.co.uk
Overview
Eva and I decided to treat ourselves to an alfresco lunch on the seafront last week, and chose The Terraces.
The Terraces is an art deco bar and grill that serves Mediterranean and British food.
Ambience
The Terraces is a glass fronted two storey art deco rotund bar and grill, facing the seafront.
The decoration is modern, minimalist and cheerful, with an open fire inside for the winter, and decking outside for dining and drinking alfresco in the summer months.
We dined outside facing the sea, superb weather and superb views!
Menu
The Terraces offers a selection of Mediterranean and British dishes; eg bruschetta, fishcakes, Chorizo on sweet potato, Mezze, steak, pasta and fish and chips. On Sundays they also offer traditional roasts.
Service
The service was very friendly, cheerful and efficient. Nothing was too much trouble, and the jug of Pimms prepared by the staff was by far the best (wrt generosity of fresh fruit etc) that I have had when dining out.
Food
I opted for the rib eye steak, eschewing the pepper sauce for two fried eggs instead.
The steak was a decent piece of meat (cooked medium rare), and was tender and succulent. Ideally complemented by my two eggs and fries.
Eva opted for the rope grown mussels in white wine sauce. These were superb, and were served in an amusing large earthenware pot that resembled a flower pot.
A great lunch!
The bill (including a jug of Pimms, a pint and two Irish coffees) came to around £60.
Overall Opinion
We really enjoyed the lunch and liked The Terraces very much. I guarantee that we will return.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Ramsay On The Rocks
Ramsay On The Rocks
The accounts for Gordon Ramsay Holdings, for the year to August 2008, show a fall in pre-tax profits from £3M to £383K (a fall of 87%), and a fall in turnover of £6M to £35.6M.
The loan owed to RBS has quadrupled from £2M to £8M, despite a cash injection of £5M during the year.
The accounts for Gordon Ramsay Holdings, for the year to August 2008, show a fall in pre-tax profits from £3M to £383K (a fall of 87%), and a fall in turnover of £6M to £35.6M.
The loan owed to RBS has quadrupled from £2M to £8M, despite a cash injection of £5M during the year.
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